The Nagambie Mechanics Institute is turning 150 this year.

Let’s celebrate a momentous time for the Nagambie Mechanics Institute (NMI) building in High Street Nagambie which is turning 150 years old this year.

The Nagambie Mechanics Institute celebrates its 150 years of serving the community since 1873. The Institute was established in 1865 or earlier and the first Hall was built in 1873.

The library operated from 1874 for quite a while. The Institute has been a centre for a wide range of activities. It has hosted movie, weddings, concerts, model car shows, quilt fairs, soirees, dances, balls, table tennis nights, High teas, fashion parades, school events, Anzac Day and remembrance services, funerals, memorials and birthday parties. To name just a few. It has been Nagambie’s community hall for decades.

Over the years, major renovation works have been done to maintain the inside and outside of the building and this allows the Opportunity shop to operate in stunning premises thanks to the involvement and the hard work of volunteers.

Further renovations need to take place: replacing the windows and upgrading the kitchen to enable more community events to be held.

The current volunteer Institute committee are excited about the prospect of celebrating this milestone with a series of events with a goal to raise further funding to continue with the renovations.

Cathy Gourbault of the Institute committee said, “The wish list includes upgrading the kitchen and changing the front windows, but we’d also love a digital grand piano for future concerts at the NMI and for the enjoyment of the community.”

“You never know, there may be someone in the community that has a grand piano that they no longer use and would like to donate it to the institute,” said Cathy. “Celebrating 150 years is an opportunity to organise fundraising events and to share the history of the NMI, and its impact in the Nagambie community over the years.

The key starting event for 2023 will be a TRIVIA NIGHT which will be held on February 4 , 2023, in the stunning hall of the NMI. The evening will include a silent auction, auctions, raffles, games and of course the trivia.

The NMI thanks the generous contributions of sponsors and partners that have donated to the cause.

Tables are selling quickly for the trivia night so book your table now to avoid missing out.

For further information, about the Institutes 150th celebrations or to book a table at the trivia night contact: Cathy on P: 0477 685 761 or 488 77 07 33

E: email gythac@icloud.com.